SS Kraetzchen (first field cap)

[derek]

I am wrapping up my notes on the First SS field cap; the kraetzchen, and wondered if any members had pictures of the cap being worn by early members of the SS serving in units other than the LAH.
I have pictures of SS "1" wearing them and I have it on good authority that early SS-TV men wore the cap too.
Any images or info would be most welcome as I finish up this project.
Derek

[Robin Lumsden]

What project are you working on, Derek?

[derek]

Hello Robin,
I am trying to finally organise all the material I have amassed on the headgear worn by the SS. I had originally shared much of this material with Mike Beaver to use in his book, especially with regard to the pre-war years as that wasn't really his area, but now that his book is being completed by others I thought I would sit down and collate all my material for my own pleasure.
My stuff was concerned with documents and period photographs rather than items of militaria in collections and so might be a bit dry for some.
I am just putting the finishing touches to the first section covering that first field cap and was just checking to see if anyone might have an image or two that could shed light on the wearing of the kraetzchen by other units.
If you're at all interested I would be happy to share a .pdf of that section with you when finished.
Derek

[Robin Lumsden]

All the best with the project, Derek.

Documents and period photos are far from dry in my opinion - often much more interesting and illuminating than the militaria.

You probably have this photo in any case, but it's the only one I've seen with the second pattern TK being worn on the kraetzchen. It's a still from the 'Triumph of the Will'.

[derek]

Thank you Robin,
I have always been most intrigued by that cap. It is an extremely unusual shape compared to all the other pictures of the field cap I have. The stiff shape and extraordinarily high crown has often made me think that the RZM did produce a pattern shortly before the withdrawal of that pattern cap. (Not to be confused with the numerous bogus examples that turn up at shows.)
A couple of researchers thought that it might just be an issue cap with the peak removed but the narrow field cap band suggests otherwise.
Interestingly the film shows three distinct field caps being worn concurrently in the SS camp. The kraetzchen, a black side cap with first pattern skull and the earth grey field cap authorised earlier that year.
Derek

[BlackWatch1]

Boy do I have a surprise for you ten years later

[BlackWatch1]

Men of the 65. SS-Standarte Schwarzwald wearing the ultra rare SS Kraetzchen with second pattern Totenschaedel. Possibly the only photograph in existence that show Allgemeine SS wearing this first SS field cap. This photo also shows that Officers wore the same type of cap. The two men on either side without jackets appear to be wearing SA style belt buckles. Freikorps medals and Gau Badges are worn. Sign says "Alte Garde Reserve hat Ruh 1929-34."

[BlackWatch1]

Perhaps this photo is of the newly created Reserve Sturmbann in 1934, hence "Reserve hat Ruh" ? The "Alte Garde" might equate to "Alter Kampfer" which was used for members that joined prior to 1930.

[BlackWatch1]

Men of the 65. SS-Standarte Schwarzwald wearing the ultra rare SS Kraetzchen with second pattern Totenschaedel. Possibly the only photograph in existence that show Allgemeine SS wearing this first SS field cap. This photo also shows that Officers wore the same type of cap. The two men on either side without jackets appear to be wearing SA style belt buckles. Freikorps medals and Gau Badges are worn. Sign says "Alte Garde Reserve hat Ruh 1929-34."

[MarcoPennisi]

Thank you for sharing this neat pic with a lot of uniform details. It may have been taken early in 1934 for none’s wearing the Alter Kämpfer chevron instituted in February 1934.